Reused pieces of The Pearl brewhouse live on in new San Antonio restaurants

From beer crates to bricks, if you've been to The Pearl then you've been overlooking these treasures hidden in plain sight

January 26, 2014 10:46 AM

Photo: Photo by Steve Bennett

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The Pearl has taken salvaging and repurposing historic material to a new level. Everywhere you go in the complex, you’ll find material, equipment and tools that have been repurposed and reintegrated by local architects and artists. They even have a "protector of the historic fabric" title held by Jeffrey C. Fetzer, an architectural and preservation consultant. Click ahead to seem some of the reused materials. To learn the stories behind some of the repurposing projects and why the Pearl's preservation mission is so important, please visit our subscriber website, ExpressNews.com. less

The Pearl has taken salvaging and repurposing historic material to a new level. Everywhere you go in the complex, you’ll find material, equipment and tools that have been repurposed and reintegrated by local ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

The Pearl has taken salvaging and repurposing historic material to... Photo-3568087.78481 - San Antonio Express-News

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The 1881 Pearl brew house is now Hotel Emma, featuring reused materials including a circular staircase in the Great Hall and old blueprints, architectural drawings and maps framed for art.

The 1881 Pearl brew house is now Hotel Emma, featuring reused materials including a circular staircase in the Great Hall and old blueprints, architectural drawings and maps framed for art.

Photo: Steve Bennett / San Antonio Express-News

The 1881 Pearl brew house is now Hotel Emma, featuring reused... Photo-5777733.78481 - San Antonio Express-News

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Elizabeth Speer, a server at Cured, passes a salvaged hand-cleaning station that now serves as a water bottle chiller at the restaurant.

Elizabeth Speer, a server at Cured, passes a salvaged hand-cleaning station that now serves as a water bottle chiller at the restaurant.

A large safe has become a walk-in storage area at Cured. Material, equipment and tools from the old brewery have been put to new uses in the Pearl complex by local architects and artists.

A large safe has become a walk-in storage area at Cured. Material, equipment and tools from the old brewery have been put to new uses in the Pearl complex by local architects and artists.

Photo: Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News

A large safe has become a walk-in storage area at Cured. Material,... Photo-5777737.78481 - San Antonio Express-News

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Iron ballards that once supported large tanks have been converted to table bases outside Local Coffee.

Iron ballards that once supported large tanks have been converted to table bases outside Local Coffee.

Photo: Photo By Steve Bennett

Iron ballards that once supported large tanks have been converted... Photo-5777253.78481 - San Antonio Express-News

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The back dining room at Cured shows the 1904 administrative building's century of use.

The back dining room at Cured shows the 1904 administrative building's century of use.

Photo: Photo By Steve Bennett

The back dining room at Cured shows the 1904 administrative... Photo-5777255.78481 - San Antonio Express-News

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Old signage and a tool collage are displayed in the Pearl Brewery administrative offices.

Old signage and a tool collage are displayed in the Pearl Brewery administrative offices.

Photo: Photo By Steve Bennett

Old signage and a tool collage are displayed in the Pearl Brewery... Photo-5777254.78481 - San Antonio Express-News

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Preasure gauges that were on beer vats at the old Pearl Brewery now function as pull handles to dispense iced coffee at Local Coffee at The Pearl. Shops at the Pearl are encouraged to reuse items left over from the old brewery. Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. less

Preasure gauges that were on beer vats at the old Pearl Brewery now function as pull handles to dispense iced coffee at Local Coffee at The Pearl. Shops at the Pearl are encouraged to reuse items left over from ... more

Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News

Preasure gauges that were on beer vats at the old Pearl Brewery now... Photo-5778519.78481 - San Antonio Express-News

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Brian Bridger, right works on his laptop at Local Coffee setting on a table made from an old rolling conveyor for beer bottles used in the old Pearl Brewery. Shops at the Pearl are encouraged to reuse items left over from the old brewery. Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. less

Brian Bridger, right works on his laptop at Local Coffee setting on a table made from an old rolling conveyor for beer bottles used in the old Pearl Brewery. Shops at the Pearl are encouraged to reuse items ... more

Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News

Brian Bridger, right works on his laptop at Local Coffee setting on... Photo-5778518.78481 - San Antonio Express-News

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Customers at Local Coffee sit at tables that are supported with heavy metal bases that were the footing for the beer tanks at the old Pearl Brewery. Shops at the Pearl are encouraged to reuse items left over from the old brewery. Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. less

Customers at Local Coffee sit at tables that are supported with heavy metal bases that were the footing for the beer tanks at the old Pearl Brewery. Shops at the Pearl are encouraged to reuse items left over ... more

Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News

Customers at Local Coffee sit at tables that are supported with... Photo-5778520.78481 - San Antonio Express-News

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Conveyor belt supports and old wood make good display tables in Tiny Finch.

Conveyor belt supports and old wood make good display tables in Tiny Finch.

Photo: Photo By Steve Bennett

Conveyor belt supports and old wood make good display tables in... Photo-5778535.78481 - San Antonio Express-News

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A chandelier was made from bottles and tubing salvaged from the old Pearl laboratory.

A chandelier was made from bottles and tubing salvaged from the old Pearl laboratory.

Photo: Photo By Steve Bennett

A chandelier was made from bottles and tubing salvaged from the old... Photo-5776407.78481 - San Antonio Express-News

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A beer labeling machine provided the raw material for a lighting chandelier at the Pearl Brewery complex.

A beer labeling machine provided the raw material for a lighting chandelier at the Pearl Brewery complex.

Photo: Photo By Steve Bennett

A beer labeling machine provided the raw material for a lighting... Photo-5778527.78481 - San Antonio Express-News